For eligible Dependant’s Pass holders who want to start and run a business in Singapore.
Types of Work Permits and Visas
All foreigners who intend to work in Singapore must have a valid pass (commonly known as a working visa) before they start employment in Singapore. There are different passes for different types of workers who stand at different skill-levels:
| Pass Type: Professionals | Who is it for |
| Employment Pass (EP) | For foreign PMET hires, candidates must earn at least S$5,600/month and meet the COMPASS requirements (*more information on COMPASS below). |
| EntrePass | For foreign entrepreneurs looking to start and run a venture-backed or innovation-driven business in Singapore. |
| Personalised Employment Pass | For high-earning Employment Pass holders or overseas professionals seeking more flexibility than a standard EP. |
| Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass | For exceptional talent in business, arts and culture, sports and academia or research. |
| Pass Type: Skilled and semi-skilled workers | Who is it for |
| S Pass | For skilled workers earning at least S$3,300 per month. |
| Work Permit for migrant worker | For skilled and semi-skilled migrant workers in construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process or services sector. |
| Work Permit for migrant domestic worker | For migrant domestic workers (MDWs) employed to work in Singapore. |
| Work Permit for confinement nanny | For Malaysian confinement nannies working in Singapore for up to 16 weeks from the birth of the employer’s child. |
| Work Permit for performing artiste | For foreign performers in public entertainment venues (e.g., bars, hotels and nightclubs); note that applications for the Work Permit (Performing Artiste) scheme will cease on 1 June 2026. |
| Pass Type: Trainees and students | Who is it for |
| Training Employment Pass | For foreign professionals on practical training, earning at least S$3,000 per month. |
| Work Holiday Pass (under Work Holiday Programme) | For students and graduates aged 18-25 who want to live, work and holiday in Singapore for up to 6 months. |
| Work Holiday Pass (under Work and Holiday Visa Programmes) | For Australian and New Zealand students and graduates aged 18-30 who want to live, work and holiday in Singapore for up to 12 months. |
| Training Work Permit | For semi-skilled foreign trainees or students on practical training in Singapore for up to 6 months. |
| Pass Type: Family members | Who is it for |
| Dependant’s Pass | For spouses and children of eligible Employment Pass or S Pass holders. |
| Long-Term Visit Pass | For parents, common-law spouses, step-children or disabled children of Employment Pass or S Pass holders. |
| Pre-approved Letter of Consent | For eligible spouses or children of Singapore citizens/PRs on an ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+, pre-approved to work and able to apply for a PLOC only when applying for or renewing the LTVP/LTVP+. |
| Letter of Consent for ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+ holders | For eligible spouses or children of Singapore citizens/PRs on an ICA-issued LTVP/LTVP+, where the employer applies for an LOC to allow them to work in Singapore. |
| Letter of Consent for Dependant’s Pass holders who are business owners |
| Pass Type: Exemptions and working while on a visit pass | Who is it for |
| Miscellaneous Work Pass | For foreign speakers, religious workers and journalists on short-term assignments in Singapore of up to 60 days. |
| Work Pass Exempt Activities | For eligible short-term activities without a work pass, with mandatory MOM notification. |
| Work pass exemption for foreign students | For foreigners on an ICA-issued Student’s Pass studying full-time at an approved school or institution. |
| Work passes for holders of Long-Term Visit Passes issued by ICA | For foreigners married to a Singapore citizen/PR, or parents accompanying a child studying in Singapore. |
Singapore’s Employment Pass
To be eligible to apply for an EP, candidates must pass a two-stage eligibility framework:
Stage 1 – Meet the EP qualifying salary, which is aligned with the top one-third of local PMET salaries based on age. The following EP qualifying salary requirements apply to new applications and renewals:
- At least SG$5,600 for all sectors except financial services (increases progressively with age from age 23, up to SG$10,700 at age 45 and above)
- At least SG$6,200 for the financial services sector (increases progressively with age from age 23, up to SG$11,800 at age 45 and above).
The new qualifying salaries will apply to:
- new EP applications from 1 January 2025
- renewal applications from 1 January 2026
Stage 2 – Unless exempt, pass the point-based COMPASS assessment.
- Note 1: Candidates who fail to meet the Stage 1 salary requirement will not qualify for an EP, regardless of their COMPASS score.
Read our full guide on Singapore’s Employment Pass: All You Need to Know About COMPASS.
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Securing the appropriate work permit or visa is crucial for legal employment in Singapore. Understanding the requirements and following the application process ensures a smooth transition for foreign workers and compliance with MOM regulations.
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Please note that all the information listed below are to be used as a general guideline. For more detailed accounts of Singapore employment laws and regulations, please visit the official governmental websites.
Updated on: April 2026
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